Air-powered, self-feeding screw driving tool

ABSTRACT

An air-powered, self-feeding screw driving tool and screw-containing pods capable of being assembled into a continuous belt of screw-containing pods for use with the tool. The belt of screw-containing pods are coiled within a canister for selective feeding therefrom by an air-powered pawl operated star wheel. The pods are sequentially positioned forward of the bit of a carriage mounted air-powered screwdriver which is selectively operated in coordinated relationship with the orientation of the screw-containing pods by a common air source utilizing a single trigger control. 
     Each of the screw-containing pods has means therein to retain a screw and to guide the screw as it is being driven into the workpiece. When formed into a belt, the individual pods are so joined that the belt may be coiled to be received in the tool canister and the belt may be twisted so that the axes of the pods of that part of the belt being fed by the star wheel lie at substantially right angles to the pods of that portion of the belt coiled within the tool canister.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a division of the copending application Ser. No. 563,819, filedMar. 31, 1975, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,421 in the name of the sameinventor and entitled AIR-POWERED, SELF-FEEDING SCREW DRIVING TOOLwhich, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of the copending applicationSer. No. 446,023, filed Feb. 26, 1974 in the name of the same inventorand entitled "AIR-POWERED, SELF-FEEDING SCREW DRIVING TOOL" nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements inautomatic screwdriving apparatus.

More particularly, the apparatus or tool of the invention involves theprovision of a compact unit which mounts a conventional air-poweredscrewdriver in operative relationship to screw feeding apparatus and anassociated supply canister with the feeding apparatus and screwdriverbeing operative by means of a single trigger valve for a sequentialadvancing of the screws and an individual driving thereof. The toolutilizes a single power source with the two operative assemblies, thescrew feeding means and the screwdriver, being synchronized for a rapidsequential presentation and driving of the screws.

In operation, the operator need merely hold the tool against the workand depress the trigger. The apparatus will automatically activate thecarriage mounted screwdriver and move the screwdriver forward inconjunction with the driving of the screw. The operator need not followthe screw forward as it is driven. By the same token, the physicalmakeup of the apparatus is such so as to enable its use in substantiallyany position, including up to one half inch of a corner.

It is contemplated that the entire assembly, including a load of onehundred screws, will weigh approximately four pounds, thus being easilyheld and manipulated.

The invention further relates to improved screw-containing pods formableinto a belt thereof. The belt of pods is capable of flexture in twodirections as will be described hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The air-powered, self-feeding screwdriving tool of the present inventionis adapted to be used with a belt of screw-containing pods. The toolcomprises a housing provided with a pistol grip and a canister toreceive the belt of screw-containing pods. A conventional air-poweredscrewdriver is mounted on a carriage within the housing. An air-poweredpawl operates a star wheel unit which serves to draw the belt ofscrew-containing pods from the canister through a throat at the forwardend of the tool and to present a single pod in appropriate position foreach screwdriving operation. During a screwdriving operation thecarriage and air-powered screwdriver are shifted forwardly to drive thescrew from its respective pod and into the workpiece. The screwdriveritself, the carriage upon which it is mounted and the star wheeloperating pawl are all actuated in appropriate sequence by a common airsource under the influence of a single trigger control.

The belt of screw-containing pods of the present invention is capable ofboth coiling and twisting, as will be described hereinafter. Eachscrew-containing pod is provided with guide means to maintain the screwshank in alignment within the pod and properly oriented during thescrewdriving operation. In one embodiment, this guide means comprises aplurality of finger-like elements within the pod. In another embodimentthe guide means constitutes a disk-like element within the pod having acentral perforation through which the screw shank extends. As the screwis driven into the workpiece, the disk-like element is dislodged fromthe pod and serves as a washer for the screw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus or tool of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pod feeding or advancing assembly.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view through theapparatus in a first position thereof wherein the screwdriver isretracted and the pod feeding assembly advanced.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3 wherein thescrewdriver is illustrated in its advanced screwdriving position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 5--5 in FIG. 3 and illustrating the extended positionof the feeding apparatus wherein the star wheel is locked into position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a planepassing along line 6--6 in FIG. 4 wherein the feeding mechanism isretracted preparatory to advancing the pod carrying star wheel.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a pod module of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the pod module of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a segment of belt made up of pod modules of thetype shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section, of the beltsegment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another embodiment of a pod module of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the pod module of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a segment of belt made up of pod modules ofthe type shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view, partly in cross-section, of the beltsegment of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary elevational view of a screw driven into aworkpiece from a belt of the type shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 and furtherillustrates the washer stripped from its pod by the screw.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referrring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10is used to generally designate the screwdriving tool comprising thepresent invention. This tool 10 includes an enlarged housing 12incorporating a rearwardly opening horizontally elongated chamber orbore 14 which removably receives a conventional air-powered screwdriver16.

The rear portion of the screwdriver 16 rests within an upwardly directedsaddle 18 projecting upwardly from a carriage unit 20. The screwdriver16 is clamped to the carriage by an overlying clamp portion 22 whichmates with the saddle 18 and bolts thereto in a manner so as tocompletely encircle the rear portion of the screwdriver 16 andintimately lock the screwdriver 16 to the carriage 20 for longitudinalreciprocating movement therewith as shall be explained presently.

The carriage 20, below the saddle 18, is in the nature of an elongatedhollow stepped tube with the enlarged rear portion 22 thereof beingslidably received over a forwardly projecting hollow tubular support 24.The elongated reduced diameter forward portion 26 acts in the nature ofa piston and is slidably received within a forwardly located chamber 28in sealed relation to the wall thereof.

An elongated air tube 30 extends forwardly from the rear of the tubularsupport 24 centrally therethrough, through the two carriage portions 22and 26 and to the forward end of the cylinder 28. The forward piston endof the carriage portion 26 is provided with appropriate seals so as toslide along the cylinder received portion of the air tube 30 in anairtight manner. An expanded coil compression spring 32 is positionedabout the air tube 30 and has the forward end thereof seated against theinner face of the piston end of the section 26 with the rear end thereofseated within the rear of the tubular support 24.

The casing 12 forms an enlarged handgrip 34 below the rear portion ofthe carriage 20. An air intake port 36 opens through the bottom of thehandgrip 34 and is appropriately provided with coupling means forengagement with a source of pressurized air. The port 36, through an airpassage 38, communicates with a trigger valve 40 of steppedconfiguration seated within an appropriate stepped bore 42. The valve 40includes an annular air path or groove 44 circumferentially thereaboutbetween the reduced diameter inner portion 46 thereof and the greaterdiameter outer portion 48 thereof. The larger outer pressure receivingface 50 of the circumferential air groove 44 results in a continuousoutward biasing of the trigger valve 40 with the outward movement of thetrigger valve 40 being limited by an appropriate stop ring 52 or thelike affixed to the inner end of the valve 40.

FIG. 3 illustrates the trigger valve 40 in its normal outwardly biasedposition. In this position, the air flow is through the passage 38,about the circumferential valve air path or groove 44, through an airport 54 in the bore 42 circumferentially removed from the air passage38, through a second air passage 56 paralleling the bore 42 andcommunicating with an air passage 58. The air passage 58 extends to andinto communication with the rear end of the elongated air tube 30 whichin turn, as previously indicated, communicates with the forward end ofthe cylinder 28. This introduction of pressurized air into the forwardend of the cylinder 28 forces the piston end of the carriage 20rearwardly, retracting the carriage and the screwdriver 16 mountedthereon. This rearward movement of the carriage 20 is effected againstthe biasing force of the spring 32.

Upon a squeezing or inward moving of the trigger valve 40, noting FIG. 4in particular, communication between the air inlet passage 38 and thebore port 54 is terminated with the port 54, and hence the cylinder 28through the air tube 30, air passage 58 and air passage 56, communicatedwith an exhaust port 60 by means of a second circumferential air path orgroove 62 provided about the outer portion of the trigger valve 40. Atthe same time, the air intake passage 38 is, through the circumferentialair path or groove 44, communicated with an air passage 64. This airpassage 64 introduces the pressurized air into the interior of thecylindrical body of the carriage 20 causing a buildup of pressure at thepiston end thereof in conjunction with an exhausting of the cylinder 28through the air tube 30. This in turn results in a forward driving ofthe carriage 20 with the air-powered screwdriver 16 mounted thereon. Itwill be noted that while the enlarged cylindrical rear portion 22 of thecarriage 20 telescopes over the tubular mount 24 in sliding sealedrelationship therewith, the interior of the tubular mount 24 is in openair passing communication with the interior of the cylindrical carriageportions 22 and 26 to allow for the free movement of pressurized airthereinto through the passage 64.

It is contemplated that the air-powered screwdriver 16 be activatedsimultaneously with the forward movement of the carriage. Accordingly,the screwdriver 16 is so clamped to the carriage as to orient the inputport 66 thereof in direct pressure receiving communication with thedischarge end of an elongated air passage 68, the opposite end of whichcommunicates with the interior of the rear cylindrical carriage portion22 at the forward end thereof. Thus, as pressurized air is introducedthrough the air passage 64 into the interior of the hollow cylindricalportion of the carriage 20, the air flow simultaneously enters andactivates the screwdriver 16. Thus, as the carriage 20 is drivenforward, carrying the screwdriver 16, the screwdriver is rotatablydriving the forwardly projecting screwdriver bit 70 which is stabilizedwithin a suitable forwardly positioned bearing 72.

Upon a release of the trigger valve 40, it is automatically biased toits outwardly projecting normal position closing off air passage 64 andrecommunicating the air port 54 with the intake passage 38 for theintroduction of pressurized air into the cylinder 28 so as to effect aretraction of the carriage 20. The air remaining in the cylindricalcarriage portions 22 and 26 escapes through air passage 68 into thescrewdriver 16 and from there to the atmosphere by appropriate ventingmeans commonly provided on conventionally available air-poweredscrewdrivers of the type incorporated herein.

The present invention also contemplates the provision, in the apparatus10, of a supply of screws 74 in conjunction with means for sequentiallypresenting these screws 74 into position for driving the activatedscrewdriver 16. In accordance therewith, the individual screws 74 aremounted within separate plastic pods 76 having opposed open ends andlink connected into an elongated belt 78 which is coiled within anenlarged canister positioned below the forward end of the screwdriverbore or chamber 14. This canister is generally designated by referencenumer 80 with access thereto being obtained through the provision of aremovable side panel or the like on the casing 12. The canister 80 isset slightly rearward of the upper forward end 82 of the casing 12 and aforwardly and upwardly inclined throat or throat portion 84 extends fromthe canister 80 to the extreme leading end 82 of the casing 12 with thepods being fed upwardly therethrough in a manner which shall bedescribed presently. As will be appreciated, this slight rearwardoffsetting of the canister 80 allows for a flat positioning of theleading end 82 of the casing 20 against the workpiece, the screw beingdriven through an appropriate aperture 86 in this leading end 82.

The feeding of the screw containing pods 76 into position for alignmentof the screws 74 sequentially with the advancing screwdriver bit 70 iseffected by an assembly which includes a conical star wheel unit 88defining a series of circumferentially spaced pod receiving pockets 90.The conical configuration of the unit 88 is significant in that itenables a reception of the pods from the inclined pod feeding throat 84and a subsequent movement of the pods into horizontal alignment with thescrewdriver bit 70.

An enlarged positioning disk 92 is affixed to the inner end of the starwheel unit 88 for rotation therewith. This positioning disk 92 includesa series of circumferentially spaced openings 94 therein which alignwith the pod receiving pockets or seats 90 and are of a size so as toallow for the free movement of the screwdriver bit 70 therethrough intoengagement with the pocket carried screw pods. The entire star wheelunit 88 is of course appropriately shaft mounted within the casing 12 atthe upper end of the throat 84 for controlled rotational movement.

The inner face of the positioning disk 92 includes a series of inwardlyprojecting positioning pins 96 at equally spaced points thereabout. Apositioning block 98 is mounted within the casing 12 for verticalreciprocation adjacent the inner pin bearing face of the positioningdisk 92. This block 98 is biased downwardly by a pair of spaced coiledcompression springs 100 engaged between the upper face of the block 98and a fixed abutment portion of the casing 12 thereabove.

Noting FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 in particular, the positioning block 98 mounts afirst elongated spring pawl 102 and a second substantially shorter rigidpawl 104. In the extended position of the block 98, illustrated in FIGS.2 and 5, both pawls are engaged beneath approximately diametricallyopposed positioning pins 96 whereby the positioning disk 92 and theassociated star wheel unit 88 are locked into position. Upon a downwardretraction of the positioning block 98, the short rigid pawl 104 dropscompletely below the positioning disk 92 with the spring pawl 102 movingdownward from the previously engaged upper pin 96 and riding over avertically aligned lower pin 96 to snap engage immediately therebeneath.Thus, upon a subsequent upward movement of the positioning block 98, thespring pawl 102 will effect a rotation of the disk 92 until, at theupper position of the block 98, the rigid pawl 104 is again brought intooverlying relation with the disk 92 and in stabilizing engagementbeneath the subsequent positioning pin 96 generally diametricallyopposed from the pin 96 now engaged by the upwardly moved spring pawl102. Thus, by a vertical reciprocation of the positioning block 98, thestar wheel will be advanced in a step-by-step manner to sequentiallybring the screw bearing pods into alignment with the screwdriver 16.

This reciprocating movement of the positioning block 98 is to beeffected automatically and in synchronization with the powering of thescrewdriver 16. Accordingly, the positioning block 98 is provided with adownwardly directed internal air chamber 106, the positioning block 98constituting in effect an air cylinder. The chamber 106 istelescopically received over the discharge end of an air passage 108with appropriate O-ring seals or the like 110 providing for a sealedsliding relationship therebetween. The air passage 108 in turncommunicates with the rear of the cylinder 28, through port 112,immediately forward of the piston end of the carriage portion 26 in itsretracted position as illustrated in FIG. 3.

With this arrangement, in the position of FIG. 3, with the trigger valve40 released and in its normal outward position, pressurized air passingthrough the air tube 30 into the cylinder 28 also flows through port 112and air passage 108 into cylinder chamber 106 effecting an upwardshifting of the positioning block 98 and a rotation of the star wheelunit 88 so as to present a new screw bearing pod into alignment with thescrewdriver bit 70.

Upon an inward pressing of the trigger valve 40 so as to activate andforwardly move the screwdriver 16, the forward movement of the carriageportion 26 seals the port 112, locking the pressure within the line 108and the positioning block 98 in its forward position. At the completionof the forward movement of the screwdriver carrying carriage 20, thepressure within the air passage 108 and cylinder chamber 106 is bledoutwardly through an escape port 114 in the outer wall of the carriageportion 26 which is brought into alignment with the port 112. Upon anexhausting of the air from the passage 108 and chamber 106, the springs100 retract the positioning block 98 releasing the star wheel unit 88for the subsequent indexing of the star wheel so as to bring another podinto position. The next pod is brought into position upon a release ofthe trigger valve 40 whereby the pressurized air is redirected into thecylinder 28 effecting the retraction and deactivation of the screwdriver16 in conjunction with a rotation of the star wheel unit 88 so as toposition a new pod in alignment with the screwdriver bit 70 through anupward movement of the positioning block or cylinder 98.

It will be appreciated that the pods 76 themselves constitute individualguides for the screws 74 during the driving thereof, thus avoiding unduewear on the basic apparatus 10, as well as the necessity for providingelaborate screw receiving and guiding means as is now frequently thecase in automatic implements of this type. The exhausted pods, notingFIG. 1, will be discharged laterally from the casing 12, appropriateoutwardly projecting guide lugs 116 being provided. Also, in order tosimplify the loading of the belt 78 and the engagement of the leadingend thereof with the star wheel unit 88, an appropriate manual exhaustvalve 118 can be provided in the line 108. An opening of the valve 118will exhaust the line 108 and cylinder chamber 106 resulting in aretraction of the positioning block 98 and thereby allow for a freerotation of the star wheel unit 88 during the loading operation.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a highly unique tool hasbeen devised. This tool enables the incorporation of an air-poweredscrewdriver into an implement which, utilizing a single power source,provides for an automatic feeding of screws for a power driving thereofby the air-powered screwdriver through a single two position triggervalve. The casing is so constructed as to position the reciprocatingscrewdriver at the upper portion thereof above both the trigger mountinghandgrip and the belt containing canister, the canister being slightlyrearwardly offset from the forward discharge point of the driven screws.In this manner, the tool is easily handled and can be convenientlymanipulated in corners and the like. The single control operation, aswell as the compact nature of the assembly is of significance inproviding a tool which can be held and operated by one hand. Inconnection therewith, it will be noted that the discharge end of thetool is positioned directly against the workpiece and the triggeractuated. The operator is not required to manipulate the tool during theactual driving operation in that the forward movement of the poweredscrewdriver is effected internally within the casing in an automaticmanner. By the same token, the retraction of the screwdriver andsubsequent positioning of the new screw is also automatically effectedby merely a release of the trigger valve. It will of course beappreciated that appropriate seals are provided as required throughoutthe apparatus.

Returning to FIG. 3 it will be evident that the belt of screw-containingpods 76 of the present invention must be such that the belt may becoiled within canister 80. It will further be evident that as the beltis drawn through throat portion 84 of the tool by star wheel unit 88,the belt is twisted so that the axes of the pods within the throat lieat substantially right angles to the axes of the pods within thecanister.

A first embodiment of a belt of screw-containing pods of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 10. FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate a segment of the belt, generally indicated at 120. As is mostclearly seen in FIG. 10, each pod 76 comprises an upper substantiallycylindrical portion 76a and a lower substantially cylindrical portion76b. Furthermore, the belt 120, itself, is made up of pod modulescomprising the upper portion 76a of one pod 76 and the lower portion 76bof an adjacent pod 76. FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively a plan view and aside elevational view of a typical pod module, generally indicated at122.

The pod modules of the present invention lend themselves well to beingmolded from any appropriate plastic material such as polyethylene. Whilesubstantially cylindrical in configuration, the upper pod portion 76a ofthe pod module, to facilitate the molding procedure, may have a slightlygreater external diameter at its bottom end than at its top end and aslightly greater internal diameter at its top end than its bottom end.Throughout its length, the internal diameter of the upper pod portion 76is slightly greater than the diameter of the head of screw 124. Near itslowermost end, upper pod portion 76a is provided with an annular rim126.

The lower end portion 76b of pod module 122 is also substantiallycylindrical. Again for purposes of the molding procedure it may beprovided with a slightly larger external diameter at its upper end thanat its lower end. Near its upper end, the lower pod portion 76b isprovided with an annular notch 128. Beneath the annular notch the wallof the lower pod portion 76b is thickened so as to form an annularshoulder 130. Annular notch 128 is so sized as to receive the annularrim 126 of the upper pod portion 76a of the next adjacent pod modulewith a snap fit. The lowermost edge of that upper pod portion 76a mayrest upon the shoulder 130 of the lower pod portion 76b. In this way,adjacent pod modules 122 are joined together to form a continuous belt120.

Substantially intermediate its ends, lower pod portion 76b is providedwith a plurality of inwardly and downwardly extending fingers 132. Thefingers 132 are substantially triangular in configuration and theirinnermost ends form an opening having a diameter substantially equal tothe root diameter of screw 124. The fingers 132 are held in place byintegral webs 136 extending between adjacent fingers. The wall of thelower pod portion 76b below fingers 132 is somewhat thinner assuringroom for the fingers to be depressed by a sufficient amount to permitpassage of the head of screw 124 past the fingers during the finalstages of the screwing operation.

Finally, the pod module 122 is completed by a strap-like link element138 being integral and one-piece with the upper edge of the lower podportion 76b and the lower part of upper pod portion 76a. While link 138may have any appropriate cross-sectional configuration, the rectangularcross-sectional configuration of the strap as shown in FIGS. 7 through10 permits a portion of the link to rest upon the upper edge of thelower pod portion 76b of the adjacent pod module with the result thatwhen the pod modules are assembled into a belt the individual pods 76 ofthe belt tend to remain with their axes substantially parallel to eachother. Link 138, on the other hand, is capable of being twisted so thatthe axes of adjacent pods may assume non-parallel positions permittingthe belt to be twisted as described above.

When the individual pod modules 122 are joined together to form a belt,the snap fit of the annular rim 126 of an upper pod portion 76a of onepod module into the annular groove 128 of the lower pod portion 76b ofthe next adjacent pod module is such as to permit relative rotation ofthe upper pod portion 76a and the lower pod portion 76b of eachindividual pod 76. This, in turn, permits the belt to be coiled forinsertion into canister 80.

When fully assembled, the belt is as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 andis of a length such as to be accommodated in canister 80. The individualpods 76 are provided with screws 124. Each screw is threaded through theopening 134 formed by the ends of fingers 132 in its respective pod. Thefingers thus serve to maintain the screw within its respective pod. Whenan individual pod is brought by star wheel unit 88 to the positionwherein its screw may be driven by screwdriver 16, it will be evidentthat screw 124 will be properly oriented within its pod for driving.This is true by virtue of fingers 132 and the fact that the internaldiameter of the upper pod portion 76a is only slightly larger than thehead of screw 124. The screw, thus properly centered within its pod,will remain so during the driving operation. When the head portion ofscrew 124 passes out of the upper pod portion 76a and approaches fingers132 in the lower pod portion 76b, the screw is already firmly held inthe workpiece. The head of the screw will deflect and pass beyondfingers 132 causing webs 136 to stretch and/or rupture. Upon completionof the screwdriving operation, the star wheel unit 88 will cause thenext screw-containing pod to reach its driving position. As indicatedheretofore, the ability of the upper portion 76a and lower portion 76bof each individual pod to rotate with respect to each other about thesnap engagement between annular groove 128 and annular rim 126 enablesthe belt to be coiled with all of the axes of the individual pods 76being substantially parallel to each other and substantiallyperpendicular to a plane passing through the annular rim 126 and annulargroove 128 of each of the pods. This same rotation enables the pods topass about star wheel unit 88. The ability of integral link 138 betweenpods to be twisted enables the axes of adjacent pods to assumenon-parallel orientations whereby the pods may be drawn by the starwheel assembly from canister 80 through throat 84. This same twistingability also permits each pod to assume its screwdriving position withthe axis of the screw therein being substantially coaxial with the axisof the screwdriver bit 70.

A second embodiment of the belt of the present invention is illustratedin FIGS. 11 through 14. The embodiment of FIGS. 11 through 14 differsfrom the embodiment of FIGS. 7 through 10 only in the screw centeringmeans located within the bottom portion of each screw pod. Consequently,like parts have been given like index numerals.

It will be noted that the belt segments 120 are again made up ofindividual pod modules 122, each comprising an upper pod portion 76a anda lower pod portion 76b joined by an integral link 138. The upper podmodule 76a is again provided with an annular rim 126 and the lower podmodule is provided with an annular groove 128 constituting a rotatablesnap-connection between the upper and lower portions of the individualpods 76. This rotatable joint serves the same purpose as described withrespect to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 through 10, as does the twistablelink 138.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 11 and 14, the screw centering andretaining means in the lower pod portion 76b constitutes a disk orwasher-like structure 140 rather than the plurality of fingers 132, asin the embodiment of FIGS. 7 through 10. The washer-like element isintegrally attached to the inside surface of lower pod portion 76b bymeans of a plurality of radially oriented integral webs 142.

The washer-like retaining and centering means 140 has a depressedcentral portion provided with a central perforation 144. As is mostclearly seen in FIG. 14, the perforation 144 is tapered so as to have adiameter at its lower end less than the major diameter of screw 146 andat least approaching the root diameter of this screw. This enables thewasher-like element 140 to retain screw 146 within the pod 76.

The assembly of the belt segments 120 of FIGS. 13 and 14 is identical tothat described with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10. During the initialportion of the screwdriving operation the head of screw 146 willcooperate with the upper portion 76a of pod 76 and the shank portion ofthe screw will cooperate with the washer-like element 140 to maintainthe screw properly centered. By the time the head of screw 146 passesthrough the upper pod portion 76a, the screw will have been driven wellinto the workpiece. Upon contact of the washer-like element 140 by thescrew head, further driving of the screw will cause webs 142 to ruptureor break and screw 146 will carry the new free washer-like element 140with it toward the workpiece.

FIG. 15 illustrates the screw 146 fully driven into workpiece 148. Itwill be noted that the element 140 acts as a washer for screw 146,having been flattened between workpiece 148 and the head of screw 146.In all other respects, the pod modules and belt assembly of FIGS. 11through 14 will function in the same manner described with respect tothe embodiment of FIGS. 7 through 10.

It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the nature of thescrew located in the individual pods 76 of the embodiments of FIGS. 7through 10 and 11 through 14 does not constitute a limitation on thepresent invention. The screws 124 and 146 have been, for purposes of anexemplary showing, illustrated as Phillips screws, although they may beprovided with conventional slots or other engagement means, thescrewdriver bit 70 having been appropriately selected.

It will be understood that the screw 146 of FIG. 14 could be located inthe pod 76 of FIG. 10 and that the screw 124 of FIG. 10 could be locatedin the pod 76 of FIG. 14. The nature of the screw used will depend uponthe work being done. For example, the screw and structure of FIG. 10would be excellent for dry wall work and the like. The screw andstructure of FIG. 14 would be useful in metal work. The washer-likeelement 140 can serve any appropriate purpose. For example, being amolded plastic member, it may serve as a sealing means, lock washer orthe like.

Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from thespirit of it. It should be specifically understood that the pods of thebelt of the present invention can be utilized to house and guide theshank and head respectively of any fastener.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A belt of pods for usewith an automatic fastener driving tool, each pod being adapted tocontain a fastener of the type having a head and a shank, each of saidpods comprising an upper portion and a lower portion joined together soas to be rotatable with respect to each other about a common pod axissuch that said belt may be coiled and means enabling said belt to betwisted such that the axis of adjacent pods may be oriented non-parallelwith respect to each other.
 2. The structure claimed in claim 1 whereineach of said pods has means therein to retain a fastener and to maintainsaid fastener centered therein.
 3. The structure claimed in claim 1wherein adjacent ones of said pods are joined by twistable links wherebysaid belt may be twisted such that the axes of adjacent pods may beoriented non-parallel to each other.
 4. The structure claimed in claim20 wherein said fastener maintaining and centering means within each podcomprises a plurality of radially inwardly extending fingers, saidfingers normally assuming a position wherein the free ends of saidfingers define a perforation coaxial with the axis of said pod and of adiameter slightly less than the diameter of the shank of the fastener tobe contained within said pod, whereby to engage the shank of thefastener to maintain the fastener within the pod and to center the shankof the fastener within the pod during a fastener driving operation, saidfingers being resilient whereby to permit passage of the head of thefastener therebeyond during a fastener driving operation.
 5. Thestructure claimed in claim 20 wherein said fastener maintaining andcentering means within each pod comprises a washer-like element having aperforation therethrough coaxial with the axis of said pod and of adiameter slightly less than the diameter of the shank of a fastener tobe contained within said pod whereby to receive and engage the shank ofthe fastener to maintain the fastener within the pod and to center theshank of the fastener within the pod during a fastener drivingoperation, said washer-like element being removable from said pod by thehead of the fastener during a fastener driving operation whereby toserve as a washer for the fastener.
 6. The structure claimed in claim 1wherein said upper pod portion is cylindrical having an internaldiameter slightly larger than the diameter of the head of the fastenerto be located therein, said lower pod portion being cylindrical andhaving at its upper end an internal diameter such as to receive thelower end of said upper pod portion with a telescoping fit, said upperpod portion having an annular external rim near its lower end, said podlower portion having near its upper end an internal groove sized toreceive said external rim of said upper pod portion with a snap fit tojoin said upper and lower pod portions.
 7. The structure claimed inclaim 1 wherein said belt of pods is made up of a plurality of podmodules each comprising the upper pod portion of one pod and the lowerpod portion of an adjacent pod joined together by a twistable link, saidupper pod portion of each of said pod modules being joined with a snapfit to the lower pod portion of the next adjacent pod module whereby toform said belt of pods capable of being coiled and capable of beingtwisted such that the axes of adjacent pods may be oriented non-parallelwith respect to each other.
 8. The structure claimed in claim 4including integral webs joining adjacent ones of said fingers tomaintain said fingers in said normal position, said webs beingrupturable to permit passage of the fastener head beyond said fingers.9. The structure claimed in claim 5 wherein said washer-like element isaffixed to the interior surface of the lower pod portion by rupturableradial webs integral with said washer-like element and said interiorsurface of said lower pod portion.
 10. The structure claimed in claim 7wherein each of said pod modules comprises an integral, one-piece moldedstructure.
 11. The structure claimed in claim 7 wherein said fastenermaintaining and centering means within each pod comprises a plurality ofradially inwardly extending fingers, within each lower pod portion, saidfingers normally assuming a position wherein the free ends of saidfingers define a perforation coaxial with the axis of said pod and of adiameter slightly less than the diameter of the shank of the fastener tobe contained within said pod whereby to engage the shank of the fastenerto maintain the fastener within the pod and to center the shank of thefastener within the pod during a fastener driving operation, saidfingers being resilient whereby to permit passage of the head of thefastener therebeyond during a fastener driving operation.
 12. Thestructure claimed in claim 7 wherein said fastener maintaining andcentering means within each pod comprises a washer-like element withineach lower pod portion, said washer-like element having a perforationtherethrough coaxial with the axis of said pod and of a diameterslightly less than the diameter of the shank of a fastener to becontained within said pod whereby to receive and engage the shank of thefastener to maintain the fastener within the pod and to center the shankof the fastener within the pod during a fastener driving operation, saidwasher-like element being removable from said pod by the head of thefastener during a fastener driving operation whereby to serve as awasher for the fastener.
 13. The structure claimed in claim 11 includingintegral webs joining adjacent ones of said fingers to maintain saidfingers in said normal position, said webs being rupturable to permitpassage of the fastener head beyond said fingers.
 14. The structureclaimed in claim 12 wherein said washer-like element is affixed to theinterior surface of the lower pod portion by rupturable radial websintegral with said washer-like element and said interior surface of saidlower pod portion.
 15. The structure claimed in claim 13 wherein each ofsaid pod modues comprises an integral, one-piece molded structure. 16.The structure claimed in claim 14 wherein each of said pod modulescomprises an integral, one-piece molded structure.